Weekly Village News for July 24, 2026

From Frank...

I had a great birthday and enjoyed my week on Cape Cod. Many thanks for the birthday wishes! I am not sure why I felt so strongly that turning 60 was a milestone, but as the day approached, I felt a real sense of gratitude.

I remembered that my paternal grandmother died at 59, just a day after my sixth birthday, while visiting the Vatican. The very last picture of her was taken in the colonnade of Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

She looks happy that she finally made it to her ancestral country and the center of her faith community. 

So, with her so present in my thoughts, I celebrated my birthday and acknowledged the privilege that I feel to be here with energy and enthusiasm to do so many things that I love. I was honored to celebrate with the other members of our community with July birthdays at our inaugural Village birthday party! Know that on your birthday month, members and volunteers will receive a special invitation to join a gathering at the Village Square to mark the anniversary. Of course, attendance is your choice, but I can confidently say that it’s a special way to mark the occasion, based on my experience. Tomorrow, Saturday, July 25th at 3pm, we’ll host a jazz concert at the Square. Because space is limited, we ask that you register, and let us know if you need to cancel your registration, even at the last minute. We sometimes will have a waiting list, and we want to make sure that everyone that wants to attend something can attend. 

Next week, we will have a joint member and volunteer happy hour at the Square on Wednesday at 5pm as well as Movie Night on Thursday at 5pm. These will both be fun events and I hope that you’ll join us for one or both events. If you’ve not been to the Village Square before and you’re apprehensive about finding us, let us help! Just let us know that you’d like to come and a staff member or volunteer will meet you on Connecticut Avenue and assist you into our space. It’s not complicated but sometimes it’s nice to have an escort to take away any potential anxiety.

Finally, we know that not everyone can attend an event at the Square. We still have virtual stretching classes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, a virtual book club, and callers and visitors that can check in for less formal social engagement. Whatever way works for you to connect with others is great. Staying engaged with others, in whatever form that takes, is actually a way of staying healthy.

— Frank Finamore, Executive Director